Vietnam Airlines will offer direct flights on its route between Ho Chi Minh City and Hong Kong with tickets starting at US$100 roundtrip for travel departing now through December 21, it said on May 19, according to InfoMoney.vn

The move is designed to put pressure on other Southeast Asian rivals to competefor Vietnamese outbound travel to top tourist destinations in Hong Kong such as Disneyland Park, Sky 100 Hong Kong Observation Deck, and Avenue of Stars.

Established Vietnamese carriers have been forced to consider restricted cheaper fares and redesigned cabins with more seats to win budget-conscious travellers to compete in the hotly contested Asian market, said a Vietnam Airlines spokesperson.

The flight time on the direct air route using Airbus A321 aircraft is roughly two hours and 45 minutes, said the spokesperson, with flights departing and retuning multiple times weekly.